Welcome to Collingwood, Coach Craig McRae

[Woods]

[pietillidie]

It's early I know but I'm already a big fan of McRae, with a number of things striking me about the bloke.

First, there's the pedigree of his training as a player and assistant coach, and you can tell it matters.

Second, there's his plain, no-nonsense speaking and the boundaries he sets. If he doesn't want to talk about something he says as much directly without apology. At a club prone to histrionics and targeted with media shenanigans, that naturally defuses any nonsense.

Third, he's clearly a next-gen coach in his knowledge and approach. On its own that doesn't necessarily mean much; however, if you put it with his character and experience, you know he's not just talking the talk. So, when he speaks about the team's DNA, he's not resorting to cliches as is the case when others use terms like that. When he spoke of the team and coaches getting back to doing what was working well before the Freo game, you know he was self-aware enough to step back and reset after couple of sub-par performances.

Fourth, and following from the third, this genuine embrace of newer approaches to people and teams means he's got a lot of tools in the kit bag for getting the best out of players and others around him. His response to the de Goey hysteria at the beginning of the year struck me as different to what we're used to hearing: "We like what Jordan brings to the club". No apologies, no shame, no reacting to the leading media questions, but instead formulating the best way to get the most out of that individual for his own good and that of the team.

Above all, though, he strikes me as mature, which is no doubt what enables him to speak plainly and is an enormous asset when dealing with young people. It's also just what the doctor ordered for an historically dysfunctional organisation that is easily provoked and readily entangled in its own insecurities.

Very promising indeed.

[Jezza]

^ Well said, PTID.

McRae's been a breath of fresh air that the club was crying out for last year.

[Johnno75]

I also am starting to see the influence of Leppa in our defensive efforts the last 2 weeks. Not getting opened up as much as earlier on and our pressure really told on the Blues who had their 1st goalless qtr of the season.

[BazBoy]

Just reading some comparison stats 2021 versus 2022

We have so far this season have averaged 8.5 more inside 50,s per game
whilst needing 20 fewer pocessions per game to achieve it

[RudeBoy]

He's still enjoying his "honeymoon" period as coach. So far so good, but the real test comes when the heat is on and expectations are high.

[DT]

Pietillidie - very good observations.

I think McCrae is levels above Buckley as a coach - I mean after 10 years did anyone think Buckley was a gun coach?

There are clearly list holes but with Wright and McCrae these will be filled.

He is doing a terrific job of getting buy in from the players and keeping it fun and competitive. Totally agree that he doesn’t talk garbage in public. Smart guy and a good character.

[Pies4shaw]

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/it-s-mcchaos-out-there-collingwood-s-forward-new-game-style-20220601-p5aqeg.html

A good article that explains, albeit indirectly, why watching Collingwood is no longer the frustrating, depressing experience, win or lose, that it mostly was for the previous decade.

[Haff]

[duggieboy]

Yes good comments guys, regarding the game-plan article.

What we are seeing now is soo much better & it's just the beginning

[pietillidie]

[BazBoy]

I believe in this guy

[BazBoy]

Taylor Adams was asked on radio what he liked about playing under Fly

His answer was he focused his attention on us & not who we play -we wants us to get better and enjoy it

Asked what things he does to keep the place humming—Qwirky stuff said Adams—“Like let’s celebrate Darcy Cameron’s 40 th game” like the 40th it cracked us up

[Pies4shaw]

Cam has posted the link to the following in-depth article in another thread but it should also be linked here:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-29/how-craig-mcrae-reshaped-collingwood-magpies-afl/101192714

[Jezza]

^ Great analysis of McRae's impact at the club.

The style of play under him has been great to watch.